While such images provide us with an insight into what lies beyond out little rock, they are usually grainy, black and white, and extremely slow to arrive. This is because the data transmitted from outer space which is used to process the images must travel long distances using technology which is not capable of producing better results. However it may be a case of broadband suppliers to the rescue as scientists working on the problem have recently unveiled a tiny light detector that may allow for super-fast broadband communications over interplanetary distances. Using current technology, still images broadcast to Earth from equipment located on other planets are difficult and time-consuming to retrieve. It is estimated that the new detector, however, will improve efficiency to 57% at a wavelength of 1,550 nanometres. If that makes no sense to you, consider that this is the same wavelength used by fibre optic cables to carry broadband into offices and homes. This represents a threefold increase in efficiency for the transfer of images from outer space, which currently has a detector efficiency of around 20%. Using the wireless frequency technology currently available it can take several hours to get useful information back to Earth from Mars. Using an optical link, as provided by the new technology, this same task can be completed thousands of times faster. The light detector will allow real-time collection of large amounts of data from space, and may also permit the transmission of colour video between astronauts or equipment in outer space and scientists on Earth. This is obviously a giant leap for mankind. The way the light detector works is by using nanowires and superconductor technology to sense extremely low light or laser signals in the infrared part of the optical spectrum down to a single photon. This is the smallest and most basic unit of light known to man, and such a feat has not been possible using conventional optical systems. Apart from the wireless frequency technology being generally inefficient, because of the vast distances between planets and other objects in outer space, such optical systems would require a large laser and a lot of power to be able to send data at a high rate. If this were to be achieved on a spacecraft, it would use up an enormous amount of energy, which renders the technique impossible as spacecraft as are typically starved of power. So it appears that there is a need for a device such as the new light detector that can operate quickly and without using much power. Is the first interplanetary reality TV show almost upon us? |
